Miami Hotels

MBO Miami :: Miami Hotels

ver since colonialism fell out of favor - damn those pesky moral and political issues surrounding explorers - the Dutch had to get a new bag in order to continue their international influence. Thus, they entered the luxe hotel industry; the rest is history.

With outposts in NYC and LA, the people behind the grand G set their sights on one of the hottest vacation destinations in the US: South Beach. Having experienced Manhattan class and LA cool, the group was well-equipped to try Scarface chic. Featuring a 112 foot rooftop pool surrounded by 28 000 square feet of deck space, there's plenty of room for the rich and famous to frolic after taking back some serious cocktails. Following a sun-drenched libation session, lounge about on the tri-level beach club's cabanas. If you get bored of rooftop pampering, check out the lobby's shark tank (just don't get confused).

GS has 334 guest rooms, purportedly averaging 730 square feet each, thus the place is gigantic. It ranges from suites to more modest standard rooms, yet you can't really go wrong with the spaciousness and typically fantastic views. Though universally modern - and well-deserving of the self-billed New York-ness - subtle hints of old school, art deco glamour underlie the aesthetic.

Along with the aforementioned rooftop escape, the hotel boasts myriad cool dining and drinking options, notably the forthcoming latest offering from Opium group, a club called Luis, and the famed neo-steakhouse, STK. In-house boutiques will keep you outfitted while the hipper than thou salon, Cutler, will keep you well-coiffed. Furthermore, David Barton's famed gym and spa will have paradoxically tight and relaxed.

With a buffet of amenities, swank contempo trimmings, and a killer beach-side location, the brand-spanking-new Gansevoort is suddenly one of SoBe's hottest hotels. -E.J. (with S.T.)